Coroner: Woman found on beach in Newport died of homicide

NEWPORT BEACH – A woman found dead on the beach last month was the victim of a homicide, an Orange County coroner's office investigation has determined.

Two people walking on the beach about 6 a.m. March 4 discovered Tina Hoang, 20, of Bellflower unresponsive and lying face-down in the sand near West Ocean Front and Highland Street.

Hoang, a recent mother who was facing several prostitution charges, was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was carried out in the days after Hoang's death, but toxicology tests were needed to officially determine whether she was the victim of foul play.

The Orange County coroner's office recently completed its investigation and officially classified the death as a homicide, Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said Monday.

The official determination of Hoang's death does not "change the direction or scope of the ongoing investigation" since detectives had "conducted their investigation in that direction" from the day her body was discovered, Lowe said.

Police said they were unable to release further information about Hoang's death, citing the need to "preserve the integrity of the investigation."

"This is an active investigation, and detectives continue to pursue leads in the case," Lowe said in a written statement.

At the time of her death, Hoang was facing charges related to three prostitution-related arrests in Anaheim.

Hoang's attorney previously indicated that she had given birth in late January.

A friend of Hoang's said she was trying to turn her life around and was looking to enroll at a community college to study business and the fashion industry.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about Hoang's death to contact Detective Garrett Fitzgerald at 949-644-3797. Anonymous messages can also be left on the department's hotline at 800-550-NBPD.